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Topic Review (Newest First)

12-30-2012 06:00 PM

Overgrowth

Okay, thanks for your time.

12-30-2012 02:48 AM

Darkblade48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

I assume that the aquarium intended ones are the most noob-friendly though, correct?

No, they are all the same in terms of operation.

In fact, some of the "aquarium" intended ones (like the Milwaukee MA957) have special parts that can only be purchased through the dealer (which makes it a hassle...and you are paying a premium for parts, obviously).

12-30-2012 12:34 AM

Overgrowth

I assume that the aquarium intended ones are the most noob-friendly though, correct?

12-27-2012 11:37 PM

Darkblade48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting another regulator. This time though, I'm researching aquarium-intended ones. Can anyone recommend me a good one that's not overly expensive? Thanks.

The one that you purchased originally appears to be a beer regulator; these work fine for our purposes.

You can also go with industrial regulators (Victor, Concoa, Matheson, etc).

"Aquarium" intended ones are just rebrands, and with a significant price increase.

Grabbing the high pressure gauge while torquing off the hose barb is unlikely to cause damage, but you never know.

12-27-2012 05:46 PM

Overgrowth

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting another regulator. This time though, I'm researching aquarium-intended ones. Can anyone recommend me a good one that's not overly expensive? Thanks.

12-27-2012 05:43 PM

Overgrowth

I believe I broke it because I grabbed the HP gauge while using a wrench to twist off the hose barb to keep it steady.

12-27-2012 08:29 AM

Bettatail

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

So the regulator was new then?

I doubt that you managed to break the diaphragm while trying to take off the hose barb that comes with those typical beer regulators...

But, as already mentioned in the thread, your high pressure gauge is probably broken, and the hissing sound (if not due to pressure relief valve or a leak) is probably due to a punctured diaphragm and the CO2 is leaking out from there.

+1, a punched coil in the HP gauge cause the hissing sound as well, if it is the case, the diaphragm is ok, all you need to do is to replace the HP gauge.

I doubt you have the tools to test and identify exact problem though, and a cheapest 3000 psi gauge is about $15, so you might consider getting another regulator.

12-27-2012 04:37 AM

Darkblade48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

I bought the regulator on Amazon. It wasn't used, but I might have broken it when I was trying to take off this sealed part in order to screw in my needle valve, which was a few months ago.

So the regulator was new then?

I doubt that you managed to break the diaphragm while trying to take off the hose barb that comes with those typical beer regulators...

But, as already mentioned in the thread, your high pressure gauge is probably broken, and the hissing sound (if not due to pressure relief valve or a leak) is probably due to a punctured diaphragm and the CO2 is leaking out from there.

12-26-2012 11:20 PM

Overgrowth

I bought the regulator on Amazon. It wasn't used, but I might have broken it when I was trying to take off this sealed part in order to screw in my needle valve, which was a few months ago.

12-26-2012 10:46 PM

Bettatail

if the cga 320 and co2 tank sealed well, but loud hissing sound not from the relief valve:

stop trying, the regulator is broken.
the hissing sound is from the broken punched diaphragm.

I guess you bought it used, am I right?

* look at picture one, the HP gauge was broken even before the regulator been charged with co2, and once fill with co2, gas gushing out, all these indicate the previous mishandling problem and a result of broken HP gauge, punched diaphragm.

12-26-2012 10:22 PM

kevmo911

Okay, well, assuming the cylinder wasn't overfilled (there's no longer much reason to think it was), you can try it again. This time I'd be very forceful with the CGA connection. A long wrench and some muscle has always worked for me. And make sure that nylon washer is in there.

12-26-2012 10:17 PM

Overgrowth

Actually, there wasn't any hissing except for the time when I tried to open the valve. I also thought that the HP gauge was broken, because it's been several hours, and it hasn't moved.

12-26-2012 09:47 PM

kevmo911

Okay, I just looked back through the thread. In the first picture, the hp gauge is reading the same as the post-refill picture. That tells me that the high pressure gauge is busted.

I'm still not sure what's going on with the hissing. But, yes, it's probably safe to remove the regulator. If you want to wait on venting the cylinder, I'd bring it to a homebrew/hydroponics place, or a good LFS, and have them test the cylinder pressure with one of their gauges. And, in the meantime, I'd order a new high pressure gauge (probably less than $20 shipped), or see if a local shop will sell one.

12-26-2012 09:41 PM

kevmo911

When did it stop hissing? Did you turn the cylinder off right after it started?

Assuming it's no longer hissing, just to be on the safe side, I'd give it another couple hours to make sure that the cylinder is at ambient temperature.

After that, I'd go make sure the cylinder valve was closed and remove the regulator. Then I would very slowly open up the valve, making sure it's pointed away from you, and let it all gas out. Then I'd see about getting it refilled again. If you go to the same place, I'd bring the regulator and attach it after the refill to check pressure.

And to anybody else reading this, please chime in if you have any advice.

12-26-2012 09:38 PM

Overgrowth

Okay, I think the best thing to do would be to release the CO2. I think the regulator is broken since the pressure hasn't dropped. How should I go about this?

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